Worcester woman accused of fatal stabbing is sent for mental evaluation

Friday

May 9, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Thomas Caywood and Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — A 31-year-old mother accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death in their duplex Wednesday night has been sent to a local mental hospital for a competency evaluation.

Stephanie A. Fernandes is charged with manslaughter and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in the slaying of her boyfriend of five years, Andrew T. Wagner, a Connecticut correction officer.

Speaking outside the courtroom, defense lawyer Anthony Salerno said Ms. Fernandes may have been defending herself at the time of the stabbing, although there were no initial signs of a history of domestic abuse in the relationship.

"The preliminary evidence right now would lend itself to the possibility of a self-defense issue being put before the court," Mr. Salerno said.

Ms. Fernandes was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Central District Court, but Judge Robert Harbour ordered an initial mental evaluation in the courthouse before proceeding.

Ms. Fernandes, who has an 11-year-old daughter who lived with her and Mr. Wagner in their duplex on Angelo Street, silently buried her face in one palm as the court's designated forensic psychologist gave her preliminary report to the judge.

"I have significant concerns about her mental state based on our interview. She does present today as very anxious, quite depressed and tearful. There was some evidence while we talked that she was confused about some of the alleged events and allegations," the psychologist said.

Based on the initial report, Judge Harbour ordered Ms. Fernandes to complete a 20-day competency evaluation before proceeding with the arraignment.

Mr. Salerno said there was no initial indication that his client's daughter witnessed the slaying. The girl is staying with family now, he said.

Police went to 25 Angelo St. about 11 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a domestic dispute. Officers found Mr. Wagner, 31, had been stabbed. A neighbor was attempting to help the seriously injured man when ambulance crews arrived.

Mark Stevens, a former emergency medical technician who lives in the other half of the duplex, said he went next door after hearing Ms. Fernandes scream for help. Mr. Stevens and his girlfriend, Terry Deroy, a former nurse, began performing CPR on Mr. Wagner, who they said was bleeding heavily from a wound on his neck.

Mr. Wagner was pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus a short while later.

William Giangrande lives across the street from the duplex where the stabbing took place. His son and daughter-in-law were home and saw Ms. Fernandes outside covered in blood, he said.

Ms. Fernandes appeared in court Thursday afternoon in a white disposable jumpsuit.

"She had a little daughter who played with my granddaughter," Mr. Giangrande said.

Neighbors said Mr. Wagner, Ms. Fernandes and her daughter from a previous relationship had moved into the duplex recently.

Mr. Wagner and Ms. Fernandes jointly bought the duplex unit from a developer for $224,900 in late January, according to county property records.

"He was a nice boy. He wore a uniform all the time," Mr. Giangrande said.

Mr. Wagner had been a Connecticut correction officer since October.

Mr. Stevens, the former EMT who lives next door, said he didn't hear any yelling or other commotion earlier on Wednesday evening and that Ms. Fernandes' daughter was home at the time of the stabbing.

Neighbors said they hadn't noticed any signs of relationship problems or domestic abuse in the short time since the couple moved to the neighborhood early this year.

In 2006, Ms. Fernandes was arrested in Leicester after breaking into a former boyfriend's home.

Mr. Stevens said Mr. Wagner and Ms. Fernandes had been planning a wedding in August.

"It's scary," said Anna Donaghy, who has lived in the neighborhood for five decades. "They seemed quiet. It's too bad."

Ms. Fernandes is scheduled to return to court May 27 after the 20-day competency evaluation.